New poll from America’s Voice: America wants solutions

Originally posted at the Reform Immigration For America Blog

America’s Voice has released polling numbers on how the country views Arizona’s new law and comprehensive immigration reform:

[R]ather than a newfound wave of anti-immigrant sentiment, most Americans support Arizona’s law as well as support for national comprehensive immigration reform is driven by a desire for action by Washington on a problem that has been left unattended for too long.

In other words: Americans want our government to fix our broken immigration system. They support comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level, because they know that the current bureaucracy isn’t helping anyone. They’d rather see something — anything — than live another day under the current system.

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President Obama, Arizona, and Immigration Hardball

Originally posted on the America’s Voice blog.

Last night President Obama weighed in again on the immigration debate and Arizona’s controversial new law, according to Scott Wilson of the Washington Post:

President Obama told a White House reception Wednesday that he wants “to begin work this year” on comprehensive immigration reform, warning the audience that securing the legislation will be difficult but possible.

Addressing an audience celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the Rose Garden, Obama said, “America’s diversity is America’s strength.” That, he added, is why he has spoken out against Arizona’s recently passed immigration law, which has raised concerns of racial profiling.

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Dobbs tries to change his tune on Latinos

It has the Wall Street Journal asking "What's going on?" America's Voice, an organization supporting a workable and humane approach to comprehensive immigration reform, is skeptical.

According to the WSJ, Lou Dobbs, former anchor with CNN, is moving fast to repair his image with Latinos as he looks to a potential future bid for political office.

During an interview with Telemundo, Dobbs mentioned a legalization plan twice for the 12 million illegal immigrants living and working in the United States saying that "we need the ability to legalize illegal immigrants under certain conditions." This is something Dobbs ranted against regularly calling it "shamnasty".

Frank Sharry, Founder and Executive Director of America's Voice tells the WSJ that he is skeptical and that, “For years, Dobbs used his CNN show to cross-brand Latino immigrants as criminals, invaders, and carriers of disease. In 2007, he used his show to rally opposition to comprehensive immigration reform, a bill that would enabled 12 million undocumented immigrants to work towards citizenship, and upon the bill’s demise called it ‘a glorious victory for the American people.'"

Dobbs, who has a reputation for spreading misinformation and fear about Latino immigrants, left CNN earlier this month.

Read the full article from the Wall Street Journal by linking here.

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VIDEO: How to make Immigration Reform a Reality

Last Wednesday, 60,000 people joined what was an incredible call to action on overhauling our nation’s broken immigration laws.

This new video comes from America's Voice and features Congressman Luis Gutierrez unveiling his principles for reform in October and calls on people to help build the movement for real immigration reform.

H/T to the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) for doing the great write up!

"We all know our immigration system needs fixing.

Immigration has been used as a wedge to obstruct progress on everything from the Stimulus to health care reform— even the 2010 Census. There are many skeptics out there who believe Congress doesn’t have what it takes to pass reform in 2010 – or that even if they have what it takes, they don’t have the nerve to do it.

But just last week, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano reinforced the administration’s commitment to reform, laying out the details for why this push is different, and why we need to get it done.

What’s more, the national movement for real immigration reform is growing—and we are only getting bigger.

On Wednesday night, there were over 1,000 house parties in 45 states, with supporters gathered together anxiously to hear what they could do to help make reform a reality. All across the country, people are primed and ready to do whatever it takes to win this battle, and if you are not one of those people, now is the time to join the fight."

Join the campaign by signing up for text messages to your cellphone. Text REFORM to 69866 to receive campaign updates and action items!

In 2007, opponents of immigration reform took credit for flooding Congressional offices with angry calls and faxes. They used scare tactics to frighten vunerable members of Congress.

This time around that is not going to happen. But, to pass Humane and Just Immigration Reform it will take all of us to be involved. You can stay informed with important information by texting R-E-F-O-R-M to 69866. Be sure you are also signed up to receive CAUSA's e-Blast by clicking here. You can find additional information about the campaign by visiting the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign website.

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Lou Dobbs Resigns from CNN

It is now being widely reported that Lou Dobbs is resigning from CNN effective today. During "Lou Dobbs Tonight", Dobbs announced that his Wednesday show would be his last on the network. The announcement comes amidst much controversy surrounding the CNN commentator and his regular negative and untruthful statements directed at immigrants.

In September, a coalition of community organizations united together to call on CNN to fire Lou Dobbs for spreading misinformation and fear about immigrants and Latinos. The BastaDobbs coalition formed to raise awareness about the dangerous nexus between anti-immigrant extremism and the media. Earlier this month, the campaign announced that 100,000 people had joined them in demanding that Dobbs be dismissed from the network.

In a statement responding to the announcement of Dobbs' departure from CNN, the BastaDobbs campaign had this to say:

"Our contention all along was that Lou Dobbs – who has a long record of spreading lies and conspiracy theories about immigrants and Latinos – does not belong on the ‘Most Trusted Name in News,’” said Roberto Lovato, co-founder of Presente.org, a national online advocacy organization coordinating the BastaDobbs.com campaign in conjunction with more than 40 local and regional Latino organizations from across the country. “We are thrilled that Dobbs no longer has this legitimate platform from which to incite fear and hate.” Read full statement

Last month, America's Voice, an organization supporting a workable and humane approach to comprehensive immigration reform, began airing an ad "Drop the Hate, Drop Dobbs" echoing the call for CNN to drop Dobbs from it's network. The ad ran on MSNBC and several other networks during the CNN's "Latino in America" mini series. Despite raising the necessary funds, CNN refused to air the ad.

There is no word yet on what sort of impact these campaigns had on Lou Dobbs' departure from CNN. However, according to the New York Times, Jonathan Klein, president of CNN/U.S. said that “Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere.”

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Stand Up for Immigrant Families this Easter

While families spend time with loved ones over Easter Recess, there is a deep concern that our nation's moral compass is askew when it comes to immigration.

America's Voice, a communications campaign working to win common-sense immigration reform, has launched a video and campaign calling for individuals to write a letter to their Representatives telling them you want to see humane, just, and comprehensive immigration reform.

"Keeping families together is not just a value for people of faith — it’s a human value."


While Americans view the family unit to be sacred, our nation's current immigration laws continue to trample the basic human dignity of families from coast to coast. Immigration raids tear mothers from daughters and endless backlogs keep families from re-uniting. Congress must enact just, humane and comprehensive immigration reform in 2009, and restore order and justice to our laws.

People of faith, from all traditions, are joining as one to bear witness to the consequences of our broken immigration system in their congregations, service programs, communities, and schools. They want to see an immediate end to the suffering caused by immigration raids and to make sure the 111th Congress enacts immigration reform based on the tenets of family unity, justice, and humane treatment of all persons.

Write a letter to your Representatives telling them you want to see humane, just, and comprehensive immigration reform—give them something to talk about when they’re back from Easter Recess.

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Save the Earth NOW!

That's right! Save the Earth - Stop Anti-Immigrant Emissions.

America's Voice just released the video below questioning the scientific research methods of the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), an anti-immigrant "think tank" that has released a series of studies full of dubious findings about the impact of illegal immigration. The new video, entitled "Stop Anti-Immigrant Emissions," focuses on an August 2008 CIS study entitled "Immigration to the United States and World-Wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions," which blames immigrants for high levels of CO2 emissions and the acceleration of global warming.

Have a look:

For more information, check out America's Voice at www.americasvoiceonline.org

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